British Columbia Bicycle
Helmet Study

In a project funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, HSRC
is currently studying the effect of a Canadian bicycle helmet law.
In 1996, the province of British Columbia became the first North
American province or state to require bicycle helmet use by riders
of all ages on a public thoroughfare. Prior to implementation of
that law HSRC researchers obtained observational data on helmet
use by a representative sample of bicyclists at 120 locations in
17 randomly selected communities throughout the Province. During
the summer of 1999 we revisited most of the original communities
and observation sites at the same time of day and week to determine
current helmet use rates. At these locations, 3,950 bicyclists
were observed in 1995 and 4,246 in 1999.

There was a substantial increase in helmet use following the implementation of
the comprehensive helmet law - from an overall wearing rate of 46 percent in
1995 to 70 percent in 1999. Helmet use among cyclists on commuter routes increased
from 60 percent to 75 percent; at recreational locations use increased from 48
percent to 74 percent; use by bicyclists observed in neighborhoods increased
from 39 percent to 72 percent. Rates of incorrect helmet use remained the same
at about 8 percent. In general, the law tended to have a leveling effect, increasing
use to a greater extent in those subpopulations where it was lowest prior to
the law.

We are now collecting injury data in order to determine whether, and if so how
much, head injuries decreased in conjunction with the dramatic increase in helmet
use that followed enactment of the helmet law. In addition, we are looking at
whether bicycling decreased following implementation of the helmet law, as has
been reported in Australia.